Extension device



' Feb, 5, 1929. I 1,701,041

' E. L. JOHNSQN ET AL .EXTENS ION DEVICE Filed Aug. 18, 1927 Q5/9117Q/a/I/Iso/z. 010/ ,5 zznfiiem ATTORNEYS.

Patented Feb. 5, 1929.

EMIL L. JOHNSON AND OLOFLUNDSTEN, OF ATTLEIBQRO, MASSACK'USETTS.

EXTENSION DEVICE.

Application filed August i8, 1927. Serial Ito. 213,798. g

This invention relates to an extension device for straps used on shoes,bracelets orrthe like, and the object of this invention is to pro-' videa device to be interposed between the ends of the strap which may beunfolded to extend theeilective length of the strap to'permit the sameto be passed over the hand or foot of the wearer as the case may be; I r

A further object of this invention is the provision of formations on theparts ofthe sec-' tions for securing the extension device in foldedposition. a

A still further object of this invention is the provision of means forsecuring the strap to' the device in such a manner that the device maybe adjusted with respect to the strap ends to position the same in thecenter of the strap.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of certainnovel features of construction, as will be more fully described, andparticularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings: v

Figure l is a perspective view of the extension device attached to ashoe strap which is shown as positioned on the foot of a wearer.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the device illustrated in position on aWrist Watch strap.

Figure 3 is a perspective View of one of the end sections of the device.p

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the other end section of the device. 7

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the intermediate section which ishingedly secured between the two end sections. c

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the grip ping clamp for engaging thestrap.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the sections joined together and inpartially open position. I v v I Figure 8 is a sectional View with theouter plate of one of the sections removed. Figure 9 is a sectional Viewtaken on line 9-9 of Figure 8 with, one of the gripping clamps removedto illustrate the securing ac tion between the side flanges of the endtions. I

Figure 10 is a sectional view of the sections in partially openposition.

Figure 11 is a perspective view partially broken away to show thesecuring action between the flanges of the sections for holding thedevice in folded position.

It is found desirable in straps, such as shoe straps, wrist watch strapsor the like, to provide an extension device intermediate the endssecofthe strap which may be unfolded topermit the strap and theshoe orwatch to which it is attached, to be passed from the position where itis worn and in order that such a device may be centered with relation tothe strap, we have provided gripping clamps secured at each end ofthedevice for adjustably attaching the device to the strap to securethis centralized position. Further it'is found de-' sirable to utilizethe flanges of the sections for securing the sections infolded positionwhich we have accomplished by formations on the different sections tocause an engagement be tween certain portions for holding the device inits folded position, and the followingisia detailed description ofthepresent embodiment of this invention illustrating one means by whichthese advantageous results may be accomplished. v v i 1 c, I I Withreference to the drawings 10 designates one of the; end sections havingside fianges'll, while 12 designates the other end section havingsideflanges 13. 1 These end sec tions are pivoted to the ends of anintermediate section 14 by means of a pivot pin'15 extending throughapertures in ears 16 of the sectionl and openings 17, in the end section12, andby means of a pivot pin23 passing through openings 18 in theflanges 19 0f the section 14; and opening 20 in the flanges 11 of theend section 10. i e

The intermediate section 14: may be of any desired length to vary theamount of extension caused by the unfolding action ofthe three Ihingedly connected sections. These sections are held in folded positionby means of formations at the ends 21 and 22 of section 10, theformation 21. snappingbeneath a bulging portion 25 on the cars 16 of theintermediate section which is heldin close proxs tions24. ofthe flanges13 to engagewith the ends 25 thereof and s'o interlock therewith as toprevent a separation ofthis end of the sections of the device. Theseinwardly ofi'set porti0ns 24l of the flanges 13 are extended inwardlysubstantially the distance of the thickness of the stock of the metal soas not to leave a visiblcopening on the edge of the device when observedfrom the sides to mar its appearance.

' Each of the sections are formed on the arc of a circle and aresufliciently resilient to permit the sections to be straightened outslight 1y for the snapping together of the flange formations justdescribed and there is sutficient resiliency in the stock to permitthese formations to be unclasped for an unfolding of the sections wheredesired.

The end sections are each attached to the strap by means of a grippingclamp 26 pivotally mounted by means of trunnions 2'? between the sideflanges of each of the end sections. By providing gripping clamps oneach of the end sections when adjustment is desired to vary the size ofthe strap to fit the wrist or ankle of different wearers, the adjustmentis made at each end of the device and thus the same maintains itscentralposition with relation to the ends of the strap which is desirable inmany instances. The section 12 by means of its gripping clamp 26 issecured to the strap part 28 while section 10' by means of its grippingclampfQG is secured to the strap part 29. These strap parts may be thenattached to the bails of a wrist watch 30 or may be secured to themargins of the upper of the shoe 31 as illustrated in Figure 1.

It will be observed that we have provided a device which may be unfoldedto extend the effective length of a strap or folded to cause the strapto fit snugly about the foot or arm of the wearer with means whichpermit the strap to be adjusted for centering the same with respect toits ends and a means for securing the sections together which may beeasily constructed by suitable formations of the parts to permit them toresiliently snap into engagement.

The foregoing description is directed solely towards the constructionillustrated, but we desire it to be understood that We reserve theprivilege of resorting to all the mechanical changes to which the deviceis susceptible, the invention being defined and limitedonly by the termsof the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In a flexible strap, an extension device comprising a pair ofsections, gripping clamps, one on each of said sections each having ajaw movable relative to the sections for securing the strap in adjustedposition between the section and the j aw, and an intermediate sectionpivotally secured atits opposite ends to said pairof sections andadapted to permit said sections to be unfolded and folded to vary thelength of the strap.

2. in a flexible strap, an extension device comprising a pair ofsections each havin side flanges, means for securing the ends or thestrap to saidsections, an intermediate section hinged at its ends tosaid pair of sections adapting-the device to be folded or unfolded tovary the length rot the strap, the flanges of one of said pair ofsections extending a length less than said section and co-operatingformations intermediate the ends of and inwardly deflected from the saidflanges of the other of said pair of sections for snapping over the endof the first of said flangesto hold said sections in folded position.

3. In a flexible strap, an extension device comprising a pair ofsections each having side flanges, means for securing the ends of thestrap tosaid sections, anmtermcdiate scct1on having ears at one end withundercut portrons, means 'for pivoting said ears to one of said pair ofsections, means for pivoting the other'end of said intermediate sectionto the other of said pair oi sections, said other of the pair ofsections having the ends of its flanges formed to snap beneath said earsto hold the sections in iolded position i. In a flexible strap, anextension device comprisng a pair oi sections each having side flanges,means for securing the ends of the strap to said sections, anintermediate section hinged at its ends to said pair of sectionsadapting the device to be folded or unfolded to vary the length of thestrap and formations between the flanges of said sections consisting ofa portion of one of said flanges being deflected inwardly to engage theend otflanges of the other of said pair of sections to prevent unfoldingof that end of the device.

5. In a flexible strap, an extension device comprising a pair ofsections each having side flanges, gripping clamps, one pivotallymounted on the side flanges of each ofsaid sections for adjustablysecuring the strap between it and the section on which it is pivoted andan intermediate section hingedly joinin said pair of sections to permita foldinganc unfolding of the sections to vary the length of the strap.

I Intestimony whereof we afix our signatures.

nMiL L.'JOHNSON. oLor LUNDsrnN.

